British Paediatric Surveillance Unit

The BPSU is a world leading centre for rare paediatric disease surveillance. It enables doctors and researchers to investigate how many children in the UK and Republic of Ireland are affected by particular rare diseases, conditions or treatments each year.

Studies currently on the eReporting card ('orange card')

Acute hepatitis 22
Congenital and hospitalised neonatal varicella
Near fatal asthma
PIND (Progressive Intellectual and Neurological Deterioration)
This month's reporting instructions for these studies

Apply to the BPSU

We welcome applications from clinicians and researchers who wish to carry out national surveillance on rare childhood diseases.
Apply to the BPSU
Going from start to finish icon - for guideline

Impact of BPSU

SInce 1985 we have facilitated research on over 100 rare conditions, and have immensely influenced decisions about these diseases and the impact on patients.
About our impact

Get eReporting cards

If you are a consultant paediatrician or SAS doctor with your own case load working in the UK or Republic of Ireland, and do not already receive the BPSU eReporting cards, please complete our form.
Sign up
Search all BPSU current studies

BPSU 2020-21 annual report

This explains how the orange eCard surveillance system works, has a yearly review of activities from the BPSU chair and includes updates on current BPSU studies - and much more.

All BPSU annual reports

Other BPSU content

Past studies
Patient and public involvement
Research using health records
Bulletins
Rare disease tea party - reports from past events
Partnership Board
Scientific Committee
BPSU Sir Peter Tizard research bursary
Surveillance of HIV infection and vertical HIV exposure
Other research activities at RCPCH

Research news from the College

More news
Dr Camilla Kingdon, RCPCH President
President's blog
17 November 2023

The importance of hope - President’s blog

With winter upon us and the health pressures that brings, alongside national and global events, Camilla highlights the importance of hope. There is also an invitation to contribute to the government’s consultation on creating a smokefree generation and a prompt from the BPSU to ensure your details a...